08/22/2021
It is with great disappointment that we announce that we will “pause” rehearsals for the Fall until after Labor Day while we keep tracking the effects of the Delta variant. After much discussion within the board and with friends and members in the medical community we feel it would not be “safe” at this time.
Here is a meaningful statement from a local physician…(sic)
I think it would be difficult (for CTCS) to meet in person Monday given the current state of things. Not impossible, but difficult. Probably would have to involve masks and separation and ventilation. I think vaccination is very important, but I’m not sure that requiring it helps that much, in that we can still contract and spread COVID with the vaccine. The vaccine mostly gives us a significantly reduced chance of hospitalization and death. That being said, we don’t want to put an enticement to come together (rehearsal) when coming together is not that safe — particularly if the purpose is to sing — knowing that many of us will come to such an event, even if we are told there will be killer bees and murder hornets present, if there is a chance to sing together.
So…for now….we pause until Monday, Sept 13. Though we have hopes of being face-to-face that day, we are discussing ways we might move forward that might involve picking up music, working on it on your own with help of voice tracks and other recordings, and then coming together when it is safer to polish and prepare for some sort of performance.
Just so you know….we had the best auditions we have ever had with 12 (not the most we’ve had) who were all invited to join us. These people will be added to our roster and will hopefully still be able to join us on Sept. 13. Welcome to CTCS - Keyerra Chadwick, Alara Robinson, Rachel Smith, David Kahn, Kelsey vonRosenberg, Melody Hammer, Timothy Hackenlively, Denise Siegel, Priscilla James, Michael Olmstead, Clare Kuhlmann, and Tonya Lovorn
As I was in the mountains of Colorado this past week enjoying a much needed get away, I found myself feeling just like I felt when we postponed and ultimately cancelled our Spring, ’20 preparation and performance of “Elijah.” Though I feel there is only a slight possibility of having some sort of trouble with this disease in our organization, the results of any problem we might have far outweigh the need for us to be together. I once again feel like we are making the wrong decision but, as it was with the first outbreak, we learned in the coming weeks that we had totally made the right decision.
Thank you for your understanding of this decision as I know it will create multiple responses. Know that I would love to hear from you and your thoughts about how we move forward.
I have my fingers crossed and prayers increased that I will “see” all of you on Sept. 13. We’ll keep you updated.
David Guess
Artistic Director
08/05/2021
Due to the current state of the pandemic, I've made some adjustments to our Covid Rehearsal Protocol. Please review and give feedback. Thanks!
Covid Rehearsal Protocol
It is with great disappointment that we announce that we will “pause” rehearsals for the Fall until after Labor Day while we keep tracking the effects of the Delta variant. After much discussion within the board and with friends and members in the medical community we feel it would not be “safe” at this time.
Here is a meaningful statement from a local physician…(sic)
I think it would be difficult (for CTCS) to meet in person Monday given the current state of things. Not impossible, but difficult. Probably would have to involve masks and separation and ventilation. I think vaccination is very important, but I’m not sure that requiring it helps that much, in that we can still contract and spread COVID with the vaccine. The vaccine mostly gives us a significantly reduced chance of hospitalization and death. That being said, we don’t want to put an enticement to come together (rehearsal) when coming together is not that safe — particularly if the purpose is to sing — knowing that many of us will come to such an event, even if we are told there will be killer bees and murder hornets present, if there is a chance to sing together.
So…for now….we pause until Monday, Sept 13. Though we have hopes of being face-to-face that day, we are discussing ways we might move forward that might involve picking up music, working on it on your own with help of voice tracks and other recordings, and then coming together when it is safer to polish and prepare for some sort of performance.
Just so you know….we had the best auditions we have ever had with 12 (not the most we’ve had) who were all invited to join us. These people will be added to our roster and will hopefully still be able to join us on Sept. 13. Welcome to CTCS - Keyerra Chadwick, Alara Robinson, Rachel Smith, David Kahn, Kelsey vonRosenberg, Melody Hammer, Timothy Hackenlively, Denise Siegel, Priscilla James, Michael Olmstead, Clare Kuhlmann, and Tonya Lovorn
As I was in the mountains of Colorado this past week enjoying a much needed get away, I found myself feeling just like I felt when we postponed and ultimately cancelled our Spring, ’20 preparation and performance of “Elijah.” Though I feel there is only a slight possibility of having some sort of trouble with this disease in our organization, the results of any problem we might have far outweigh the need for us to be together. I once again feel like we are making the wrong decision but, as it was with the first outbreak, we learned in the coming weeks that we had totally made the right decision.
Thank you for your understanding of this decision as I know it will create multiple responses. Know that I would love to hear from you and your thoughts about how we move forward.
I have my fingers crossed and prayers increased that I will “see” all of you on Sept. 13. We’ll keep you updated.
David Guess
Artistic Director
08/05/2021
Due to the current state of the pandemic, I've made some adjustments to our Covid Rehearsal Protocol. Please review and give feedback. Thanks!
Covid Rehearsal Protocol
- Get vaccinated! We will ask you to report whether you have or have not been vaccinated
- Self-screen your health before rehearsals
- Temperature will be checked on entry to rehearsal
- Use provided hand disinfectant going in and out of rehearsal
- Masks are encouraged but optional for those fully vaccinated; Masks are required for anyone unvaccinated.
- We will sit in the congregational seating area with some distancing
- We will provide a section for greater distancing for those who prefer
- The staff at CUMC will sanitize the room after our rehearsal